Jersey inquiry into child unit claims

An independent inquiry has been launched into child protection on Jersey after criticism of practices including a system in a secure unit where children as young as 11 were locked up in solitary confinement for 24 hours or more.

It follows allegations raised by Simon Bellwood, a former centre manager, and Stuart Syvret, the island's minister for health and social services.

Concerns include the use of a so-called grand prix disciplinary system employed until last September at the Greenfield secure unit. Children were placed on one of four levels - qualifier, grid, track and pits - according to behaviour.

In the pits category, imposed for repeated bad behaviour, they would spend up to 24 hours a day in a cell, allowed out for education and to sleep in a bedroom only after a full 24 hours of good behaviour.

The Howard League for Penal Reform said the system was constituting "inhumane and degrading treatment " which would be "unlikely to be lawful" in England and Wales and could contravene the European convention on human rights.

Mr Bellwood tells Community Care magazine he was "criticised for having a problem with punishment" when he raised concerns last January. He was put on gardening leave and sacked last May.

Last month, Mr Syvret raised Mr Bellwood's case among other allegations about children's social services and ministers moved to launch dismissal proceeding against him

The Jersey government said: "To date, the senator has made numerous claims but ... has stated he is not aware of any immediate danger to a child. However, in the climate created by the senator there is a heightened risk to children and this must be addressed as quickly as possible."

It also says the grand prix system was withdrawn a year ago, though Mr Bellwood says elements were revived.

· This article was amended on Thursday September 6 2007. We meant to credit Community Care magazine, rather than Care Magazine, in the story above. This has been corrected.

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